Folding crate.



P. PAUL.

FOLDING CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED DErLn, 1913 1,108,615.. Patented Aug 25,1914.

Flt; 1

ATTORNEY PETER PAUL, OF BOULDER, GOLOBAIK).

FOLDING CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

- Application filed December 11, 1913. Serial No. 806,049.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETERPAUL, a subject of the King of Hungary, residing at Boulder, in the county of Boulder and State of Colorado, h ve invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Grates, of which the following is a specification, refer-. ence being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to folding crates, and the primary object of my invention is to-provide a crate that can be easily and quickly collapsed to occupy a comparatively small space when not in use orwhen in storage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive collapsible crate that can be advantageously used for shipping various kinds of merchandise, particularly where the shipper requires that the crate be returned.

A further object of this invention is to provide a strong and durable crate consisting of comparatively few parts that are easy to assemble and highly eflicient for the purposes for which they are intended.

With the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter specifically described and then claimed;

Reference will now be had to the drawing, wherein I Figure 1 is a perspective view of the folding crate, showing the same in a set up position, and Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the crate in a collapsed position.

A crate in accordance with this invention comprises a top rectangular frame 1 and a bottom rectangular frame 2, said frames having the corners thereof braced and reinforced by angle traps 3.

The bottom frame 2 is provided with a bottom plate 2" and attached to the inner sides of the frames 1 and 2 by tacks 4 or other fastening means are flexible side walls 5, preferably made of strong, durable and impervious fabric, as canvas.

Hinged to the top frame 1, as at 6 is a top plate or lid 7 having the front edge thereof provided with a hasp 8 adapted to engage a staple 9, carried by the frame 1, whereby the lid can be locked in a closed position by aseal or conventional form of look (not shown).

Pivotally connected to the angle straps 3,-

as at 1Q are hinged members 11, said members bemg hmged together, as at 12. The

hinges are provided with coiled springs 13,

said springs having the ends thereof connected to the members 11 .to maintain said members in alinement, as shown in Fig. 1. These springs provide a stifl hinge and assist in opening the members 11 when the crate is to be set up.-

Pivotally connected to the frames 1 and 2, as at 14 are angularlydisposed braces 15 having slotted ends 16 for engaging pins 17 carried by some of the members 11.

The ends of the top frame 1 are provided with pivoted hooks 18 for engaging in staples 19, carried by the ends of the frame 2, said hooks being employed for holding the crate in a collapsed position, as shownin Fig. 2.

It is thought that the manner of setting up and collapsing the crate, as well as its utility will be apparent without further description, and While in the drawing there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that the structural elements are susceptible to such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

WVhat I claim is A folding crate comprising top and bottom rectangular frames, a lid hingedly mounted on said top frame, a bottom plate secured to said bottom frame, flexible walls secured to the inner edges of said top and bottom frames, angle straps bracing the said frames, hinged members pivotally connected to said straps and having sprmgs thereto for maintaining stifi connections, pivoted angularly disposed braces carried by the top and bottom frames and being adapted for connection to certain of said members and hooks and staples mounted in the ends 

